I have an opportunity to pick up a used Televue 76 at a very good price. I have always been a one-scope sort of guy, but the TV 76 is a very attractive travel and grab-N-go scope to compliment my "much" larger TV 102. I would use it when travelling to dark skies (the cottage, camping, etc), or in the winter when setting up the 102 and Great Polaris mount is too much to bear. I have a Gibraltar head and some aluminium tripod legs that would be used to mount the scope.

My concerns: 1) would I use my TV 102 less due to the convenience of this little guy, and in so doing I would miss out on the deeper grasp of the larger scope? 2) do I really need a second scope, and will the views be disappointing compared to the 102 so that I don't use the 76 enough?

There are several people here who have similar scopes in their collection, and many of them seem to favour the smaller one. I would appreciate any thoughts/experiences they may have.

The 102 itself is actually too big for me to travel with once we pack the car with all of the kid's stuff Loaded in it's case will all eyepieces and accessories it is not all that small, it occupies half our trunk space with the tripod and mount.

I do have an alt/az mount for it (the same Gibraltar).

I have chased aperture in the past, but sold my larger scope (a 7" Mak) in favour of the 4" refractor. I'm not going back there, at least until we retire to a dark-sky location where a big dob will be worthwhile.

I have a TV101 and for me, just for a travel scope, I might at some point get an Orion ST80 I could use on my camera tripod. Apparently there are differences between the TV76 and Ranger- I'm not sure if one or the other is more desirable.

There are several people here who have similar scopes in their collection, and many of them seem to favour the smaller one. I would appreciate any thoughts/experiences they may have.

I have more than one scope...

My two favorite refractors are my NP-101 and a William Optics 80mm F/7 FD, similar to the choice that faces you but the not quite as extreme.

I think it makes good sense to get the TV-76, it's a nice, compact scope that's a great performer. It's good for birding and terrestrial viewing, the 102 is too clumsy for such endeavors, it's also much handier for travel.

Apparently there are differences between the TV76 and Ranger- I'm not sure if one or the other is more desirable.

The Ranger and the Pronto were 70mm F/6.9 refractors, the name tag on the side says ED but apparently it's FK-5 which basically provides the same level of color correction as a crown-flint achromat. The Pronto was the original "little scope that could", a 70mm with a 2 inch focuser. I had one, great scope but the chromatic aberration bugaboo would raise it's head at opportune moments.

The Ranger used the same optics but had a 1.25 inch Helical focuser, more compact than the Pronto. Both are quite good optical, just not apos.

Don't buy it . I was reading a post below that even the best refractors suffer astigmistism just from body heat radiating to the eyepiece. Just let me know if there is anything else I can talk you out of buying.

I have an NP101 and a TV76 (and an 8" dob), and I say buy it. You won't regret it. When I'm at home I mostly use my NP101, but the TV76 is absolutely perfect for traveling. They serve complimentary purposes, and if you have the means it's wonderful having options. Best of luck!

Well, the TV-76 is too close to a 400MM Lens if you are into photography, making it redundant. Get the TV-85 instead.

Oh well, you already bought the TV-76. A good traveling hardcase for it is the Pelican 1510. With the divider and cargo net for the top lid you can pack the scope with rings and diagonal attached, a few EPs, and room for 3 days of clothes.